The Lovereading4Kids comment

September 2014 Debut of the Month An unexpected present, a very old book with unusual powers and a twelve-year-old with an inquisitive mind are at the heart of this exciting adventure. When Archie Greene is given a dusty old book and an instruction to visit an obscure bookshop in Oxford he soon finds he has been chosen as the apprentice to a book binder in the Museum of Magical Miscellany. Here Archie finds enchanted bookshelves, spell-weaving librarians and, above all, his own powers as a book whisperer. But there are also evil forces at work and Archie needs all his skills – human and magical – to get everyone out of trouble.

Reader Reviews

Kids love to read and so in addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Lovereading4kids Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title.

Alice East, age 9 - 'This was an amazing book about a boy who has just turned 12. One day he receives a book in the post with a set of special instructions.' Read full review >

William Longlands, age 10 - 'It kept me guessing and I wanted to keep reading it 10/10.'Read full review >

Tomasz Hawryszczuk, age 9 - 'A book full of potions, magic spells, enchanted bookshelves, action and adventure. I couldn't put it down. One of the best books I have read recently. Fantastic!' Read full review >

Jake Norton, age 10 - 'I wouldn't be surprised if Archie's adventures make it onto the big screen. I loved it!' Read full review >

Sam Harper, age 10 - 'A fantastic, fantasy adventure set in an amazing magical world. I can’t wait to discover more of it!' Read full review >

Isobel Jeffries, age 8 - 'I live in Oxford and I wish that I could visit the Museum of Magical Miscellany. I hope that this is the start of a series of books as I would like to read more about Archie Greene and his cousins.' Read full review >

Evie Gardner, age 10 - 'This book sent tingles of excitement and wonder down my spine. It was intense and thrilling...I couldn't stop reading! One of the best books I have ever read.' Read full review >

Alina Wraith, age 9 - 'Archie Green and the Magician’s Secret is a great book. It reminds me of Harry Potter.' Read full review >

Ethan Douglas, age 9 - 'This is a book about a boy called Archie Greene who is the first book whisperer (someone who speaks to books) in 400 years. I enjoyed this book, it is exciting.' Read full review >

Evie Young, age 9 - 'A magical story full of magical creatures, mysteries and adventures. I loved it!' Read full review >

Lucy Bridges, age 8 - 'I think this book is just about suitable for my age and Archie is not expecting a mysterious package that turns up on his front door.' Read full review >

James Harrison, age 11 - 'This book is so so so like Harry Potter it is therefore Amazing!' Read full review >

Synopsis

Archie Greene and the Magician's Secret by D. D. Everest

Archie Greene receives a mysterious present on his birthday. Deep within an ancient wooden box he finds an old book, written in a language he doesn't recognise. With the book comes a Summoning - Archie must travel to Oxford to return the book to the Secret Library. Soon Archie will meet family that he never knew he had, and discover the world of the Book People - a community devoted to finding and preserving magical books. But the magical book under Archie's protection is dangerous, and dark spirits hunt it out. With the help of his cousins Archie must do everything he can to uncover the book's hidden powers and save the Book People from evil. Welcome to a wonderful, magical world where bookshelves are enchanted, librarians are sorcerers and spells come to life.

About the Author

D. D. Everest is a successful business journalist and author who has written a number of adult non-fiction books. Archie Greene and the Magician's Secret is his first book for children. Des lives with his family in a rambling Victorian house on the Ashdown Forest.